Well, Okay. I didn't break MY pressure cooker, it's my wife's... .

...and I dropped the thing while helping with the dishes. Busted the handle and bent the rim. And it's about 30 years old. Hard to get parts for. So I'd like to replace it for Christmas. But I've been out of the loop for so long, I don't know what's good or how much they go for? Ideas? I'll try to be more careful next time. Honest! *blush*

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), December 01, 2000

Answers

Is this something like my teenage dishwashing rule: If you break enough dishes you are no longer given dishwashing duties?

Lehman's (a sponsor of the site) has what seem like good prices on pressure cookers/canners. However, from your description it sounds like yours was the smaller version with a single handle and jiggler on the top used to cook meals. Those should be available at places like WalMart, etc.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 01, 2000.

Our local chain "Big Lots" store has one this week, Mirro brand, 8 quarts, for $39.95. WalMart has nice ones too. I have found mail order prices for these items high.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), December 01, 2000.

I've picked up like new pressure cookers and canners at auctions.They usually go too cheap,because nobody wants them anymore. We checked on parts for an old sears canner we had,and now use it as a ash bucket,because of the outrageous price of the parts.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 01, 2000.

Craig, you get credit for helping your wife with the dishes, at least! My husband has done dishes maybe half-a-dozen times in the twenty-five years we've been married, and that was only in times of absolute necessity! And I'd be glad for, not necessarily the help, but just the company! Your wife is blessed!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), December 01, 2000.

Thanks Kathleen!

We've really found the pressure cooker to be indispensible. It's great for throwing quick tasty meals together. Locks in the flavor and nutrients. My mother used to have one of those humongous cookers with the wing nut lids and a pressure gage. She donated it to the Salvation Army and I think the Navy got hold of it to build an aircraft carrier :)

(:raig

-- Craig (CMiller@ssd.com), December 01, 2000.

Yes I sure do use a pressure cooker.. have a large one for canning and large pieces of meat..my little one that I got for $2 at an auction finally died..lived a long life though.. I have no idea the cost replacement but am sure it is much more than $2..LOL...Have seen electric ones advertised? Has anyone tried them?

-- Lynn (mscratch1@semo.net), December 01, 2000.

I use mine almost daily. I do wish that it was stainless steel instead of aluminum. Since the food isn't in it for very long I guess that I'll keep using it until I win the lottery. Anyone want to buy me a ticket? I'll share winnings. lol.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), December 01, 2000.

Last year when I was still working and had the money I finally bought a pressure cooker, had been wanting one for years. It is 8 quarts, stainless steel and beautiful. It works like a charm and I love it. I paid 119 dollars for it, probably too much but thats Santa Fe for you.I expect it to last a good long time, at least 30 yrs, so I will get my moneys worth eventually. I love the broth you get after cooking a big roast in it, I make simple noodle soup out of that.

-- Tina (clia88@newmexico.com), December 01, 2000.

Lynn and I bought a 5 qt mirro at big lots for $20 last year.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 01, 2000.

Craig, Wal-mart carries the stainless steel ones for around $50.00 dollars, please don't cook in aluminum anything, definitely not good for the brain cells! Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), December 01, 2000.

Annie you are right about cooking in aluminum but if you are only canning in one there is no health problem. I have a large Aluminum canner pressure cooker that seals by tightening it down and it works great. I can a lot of deer meat in it for long term use. It is my cooker not my wifes. But she can use it if she wants. It is also very old and seals are not needed.

-- Nick (wildheart@ekyol.com), December 02, 2000.

Craig, I bought myself a stainless Farberware 6 quart at Service Merchandise for around $50, a few years back. I love it, I'd be lost without it. Seems like this store does mail-order, if memory serves, I know they have a catalog, like Sears and JC Penney.

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), December 03, 2000.

You can order from Service Merchandise on the net. We just got a set of stainless steel cookware. Can't wait to get a stainless steel pressure cooker......

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), December 07, 2000.

I have lost my brand new recipe booke for my Programmable (electric) Pressure Cooker FARBERWARE FPC 400 Help me I need a repoacement

-- corinne friedlander (kenncorine@zianet .com), April 26, 2001.